{111}<110> orientation induced anisotropy of shape memory effect in NiTiNb pipe joints

Abstract

This work aims to clarify the influence of texture type and intensity on the shape memory effect (SME) in NiTiNb shape memory alloy (SMA) pipe joints, especially revealing the causes for the anisotropy of SME via texture changes. Three NiTiNb rods with different intensities of the {111}<110> texture were fabricated, and their microstructures, crystalline orientation distribution functions and inverse pole figures were obtained by X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction measurements. Simultaneously, the SME was characterized by inner-diameter recoverability of the corresponding pipe joints. For a given intensity of the {111}<110> texture, the SME of the NiTiNb pipe joints strongly depended on the expansion direction due to {111}<110> orientation-induced anisotropy of SME. In addition, both the SME and anisotropy of NiTiNb pipe joints increased with the increased intensity of the {111}<110> texture. Therefore, a suitable expansion direction and strong texture intensity should be considered for high SME in NiTiNb pipe joints.